Hello! My name is Jackson and I am a current high school student. I'm conducting an interview with any professional in the veterinary field for a Foundations in Health Science Class project about careers! I have created a total of 13 questions. Comment on this post, answering all 13 questions to be a part of my assignment.
1. What profession did you choose? Why?
2. How many years of college did you need to go through?
3. What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job and for how long?
4. How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
5. Were you in a college program? If yes, which ones?
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field?
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession? If yes, which ones?
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
11. How would you describe your work on a day-to-day basis?
12. Are your work hours consistent? If not, what are they like?
13. Is your job how you anticipated it to be? How so?
1 answer
Keyana’s Answer
1. I choose to be a licensed veterinary technician because I love being able to help animals out with my license. I originally wanted to be a veterinarian but at the time I was young with a daughter and could not go to veterinary school at the time, so being a licensed veterinary technician was the next best thing and i love it!
2. The program I went is a self paced program and states that it can take up to 2yrs to finish, it took me 4yrs to finish.
3. Before I entered into the veterinary field, I worked for chick-fil-a as a cashier.
4. When considering what title you would like to hold in the veterinary field, you must decide how far you want to go and what you would like to do. For example, you can still work with animals and not be a licensed professional. I have worked with many great non-licensed professionals. When earning a license, it depends on rather you would like to be a veterinarian or a technician. Both titles can lead to anything your heart desires, it just depends on how much you want to contribute.
5. I was in a college program, I was in Penn Foster (an online school) for veterinary assistant and then for veterinary technician. I have my associates degree for both programs.
6. I did not, however, I have considered it in the past for either obtaining my bachelors or for business related to veterinary.
7. I have shadowed several people in the veterinary field. I have shadowed other veterinary assistants and veterinarians.
8. I was apart of a few social media groups pertaining to my field. The groups were related to what semesters I was in at the time. I was also a school ambassador helping other students with their studies once I graduated.
9. Yes, I struggled heavily with physiology and anatomy. I actually had to retake the class!
10. I have learned several skill sets in my profession. I have learned how to observe animal behavior, how to draw blood, management skills, communication skills, monitoring anesthesia, IV catherter placement, how to take radiographs.
11. My work on a day to day basis is preparing patients and the veterinarian for anesthesia/surgery in the morning. After anesthesia is done, I make sure each patient is recovering nicely with the help of the veterinary assistants. I then will help with any hospital treatments for other patients that are coming in the hospital. In between time frames I will help with client questions and client education. I then will help my team clean the hospital and prepare for the next day.
12. My hours are pretty consistent, I will work 3 12 hour shifts in a week and I will then work a 8 to 10 hour shift at a different hospital as a relief person.
13. My job is how I anticipated it to be but much more. I have been in this field for 10 years now and as time went on, I gained more experience and was able to be more in charge of my path in this field, thus leading me to being open to different opportunities.
Let me know if there is anything else you need! I hope your project turns out well!